New entertainment complex slated at St. Johns Town Center

[aaapolito]

I'm not sure what to think about this story.  I can't help but think that this is a good idea.  SJTC is a great money maker in retail and restaurants, and I bet these places will do well too.  Let's face it, Jacksonville needs more "entertainment" venues around town, and I think that these establishments could be a step in the right direction.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2009-12-18/story/new_entertainment_complex_slated_at_st_johns_town_center

[comncense]

I wonder if that "unnamed" upscale martini bar might be Blue Martini. I love that place... Still somewhat sad to see that none of these things ever get discussed about putting them downtown. Either way, I agree Jax does need more entertainment venues. It would help if a bunch were located in the same area though.

[thelakelander]

The developer recently finished a similar project in Uptown Charlotte along the new light rail line.

EpiCentre

http://www.epicentrenc.com/

floor plan and tenant list: http://www.epicentrenc.com/sitemap.php

I'm still looking for the site plan of the Jacksonville project but my guess is that it will be something similar to Bay Street at International Plaza in Tampa (different developer, same concept).

[thelakelander]

I wonder if that "unnamed" upscale martini bar might be Blue Martini. I love that place... Still somewhat sad to see that none of these things ever get discussed about putting them downtown.

They do.  This is basically what Sleiman wanted to do with the Landing in 2004 and would still like to see happen.  However, it won't until the city is willing to help make such a project happen in DT.  Considering this same developer built the same concept in Uptown Charlotte recently, I wonder if they did it on their own or were they encouraged by that city to bring it to Uptown?

[JaxLanding]

thelakelander:
You are correct. 

[vicupstate]

These type of projects want to be 'where the action is', in Charlotte that is Uptown, in Jax it is at SJTC.

The Epicentre was built on land that the devloper bought from the city of Charlotte that was the site of their OLD convention center.  I don't recall that incentives were involved, but I would need to verify that.

[Reaper man]

c'mooooon strip bar...

...

...What?

[reednavy]

Interesting, there is already a place in Orange Park called WHISKEY River Complex.

Nice concept, but I'd rather have a few department stores announced first.

[fsu813]

"These type of projects want to be 'where the action is', in Charlotte that is Uptown, in Jax it is at SJTC."

I think it has more to do with the larger cost & red tape of bulding Downtown and SJTC. Good luck finding 50 acres suitbale for this Downtown, as was needed.

[vicupstate]

50 acres isn't needed.  More like 5.  See Charlotte Epicentre.  

It's the same thing, only URBAN !


Oh, and it's the same planning department too.   The faces aren't different, just SOME of the rules. 

[thelakelander]

Its basically a new version of the Landing, except its located in the burbs.

DT should not have to worry about attracting new projects like this when they already exist.  Maybe Peyton should take another look at solving the Landing issue.  Especially, since the city now plans to revamp Laura Street.  Why not sell the land directly underneath the Landing's buildings and retain public ownership of the courtyard and exterior pedestrian promenades?  While Sleiman upgrades the retail spaces, the city could invest the money it makes off the deal by enhancing all of the publicly owned riverfront space around it (courtyard, pedestrian promenades, riverwalk, Hogan Street dead end, etc.).  That woul do more for DT than spending money in Metro Park or kicking the fair out to Cecil would do. 

[Bativac]

I would love to see something like this downtown. Use a couple of those parking lots to put the building in, if you can't re-use vacant space. Having it at SJTC is great for UNF students and people frightened of downtown, I guess, but that whole area (and I say this as a fan of the town center) kinda feels like "Downtown Disney" already. The entertainment district is bound to have that "this is nice, but fake" vibe... Like a beautiful antique picture frame made out of cast resin with a styrofoam core...

I got it - turn the half-finished Berkman Plaza building into a real-life version of Chutes and Ladders!

[reednavy]

Its basically a new version of the Landing, except its located in the burbs.

DT should not have to worry about attracting new projects like this when they already exist.  Maybe Peyton should take another look at solving the Landing issue.  Especially, since the city now plans to revamp Laura Street.  Why not sell the land directly underneath the Landing's buildings and retain public ownership of the courtyard and exterior pedestrian promenades?  While Sleiman upgrades the retail spaces, the city could invest the money it makes off the deal by enhancing all of the publicly owned riverfront space around it (courtyard, pedestrian promenades, riverwalk, Hogan Street dead end, etc.).  That woul do more for DT than spending money in Metro Park or kicking the fair out to Cecil would do. 

You should send out a mass email to him, planning dept, downtown vision, etc. It is a logical idea.

[mtraininjax]

We had fun places like this for the Super Bowl downtown, this is really nothing new. We had it, could have it again, but it would take $$$ to make it happen. I am amazed that we spent 150k on the Jags and had a HUGE turnout of the citizens, yet the mayor and Adam Hollingsworth won't spend the money to help grow the Landing into what it was destined to become, the jewel of downtown. On the game telecast, they showed the landing a number of times. I did not see River City Brewing Company once. Did I blink and miss it? The Landing is the jewel, Mayor and Adam, please fix it.

[fsu813]

vicupstate,

the article said they are building on 50 acres. i'm sure they could do with less, but that what it said.